Ferguson pays for too much tinkering

By Christopher Davies

12:01AM GMT 01 Mar 2004

Sir Alex Ferguson was correct in his view that it was a poor decision by referee Alan Wiley not to award a penalty when Louis Saha was floored by Edwin van der Sar - what the Manchester United manager failed to add was that it was as bad a decision as his team selection.

Ferguson, who made five changes from the team who played in Porto, spoke about niggling injuries to Tim Howard and Ruud van Nistelrooy but many believe that if a player is fit enough to be a substitute then he is fit enough to start.

Fulham manager Chris Coleman, recovering from an infection apparently caused by swallowing a filling which created a negative reaction to the metal plate inserted in his leg after a car crash three years ago, should be back for Saturday's FA Cup sixth-round meeting between the two teams when Saha is ineligible.

Coleman's assistant, Steve Kean, was not alone when he admitted his surprise as he was handed United's team sheet. Kean said: "If you have a big squad you use them when you think the time is right. Having said that, I was pleased to see Giggs and Van Nistelrooy on the bench. We were happy with their team selection."

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United, lacking the sparkle and solidarity of Arsenal, are missing David Beckham and Jaap Stam, whose departures are still clouded in mystery.

Van Nistelrooy no longer has the supply Beckham provided and how United could do with Stam to organise a defence with one clean sheet in seven games since Rio Ferdinand started his ban.

It is remarkable Ferguson did not make provision for Ferdinand's absence and Arsenal fans will point out with glee that they won the title in a season when Tony Adams served a jail sentence.

Darren Fletcher and Diego Forlan gave further evidence they are not good enough for United while doubts remain about recent recruits such as Eric Djemba-Djemba, Kleberson and David Bellion.

In contrast £12.9 million Saha has made an early impact, scoring his fourth goal against his former club after missing a good chance after only eight seconds.

Saha's first touch from Cristiano Ronaldo's pass was superb and after beating off the challenge of Adam Green and Alain Goma the United striker's shot was unstoppable.

The home crowd predictably gave Saha a hard time upon his return though his former team-mates were more welcoming.

Saha said: "I've still got friends here and still support Fulham. What a few fans say won't change that.

"The crowd? It was OK. Not great. Maybe some think I made the wrong decision and I won't change their minds about that.

"It doesn't matter. I can understand them. I really loved the club when I was here and they don't understand why I just left like that.

"This is a dream for me, so that's their problem. It didn't motivate me any more. I always give 100 per cent. It's my job to score."

United failed to add to Saha's 14th-minute goal and in the 64th minute, after Fletcher lost possession and Luis Boa Morte was too strong for Wes Brown, the Portugal international's shot went between Roy Carroll's legs.

Four minutes later Saha broke clear and was floored by Van der Sar whose arms-in-the-air gesture may have made Wiley believe it was six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Ferguson, whose team benefited from a generous refereeing decision when Howard brought down Newcastle's Alan Shearer at Old Trafford recently, said: "Penalty? I'm not going to dignify that decision by talking about it. We see professional referees make horrendous mistakes every week."

Ferguson conceded that "in the end" 1-1 was a fair result, the game providing enough excitement to entertain the watching FIFA delegation led by president Sepp Blatter.